Monday
February 17, 2003
"He
voiced his frustration that everyone around the table had agreed that Saddam was
not co-operating fully, but that some of them were not yet ready to admit that
he was in full breach." International opinion displays the depth of its
commitment to a strong UN creating a peaceful world.
"There
is no intelligence agency of any government around this table that does not know
that the government of Iraq has weapons of mass destruction." They all
know that Iraq has not complied with UN Resolution 1441.
"North
Korea "will be left with no option but to take a decisive step to abandon its
commitment to implement the Armistice Agreement ... and free itself from the binding
force of all its provisions," said the official." So...they're saying
the Korean war is on again. I guess North Korea observed the UN's handling of
Iraq and learned that unenforced agreements are just empty words.
Many
people dream of living in a world that submits to respects International
Law and where the community of nations decides questions of sovereignty
war and peace through the United Nations (pbu). I would prefer a happier future.
Nonetheless,
I have trouble understanding how transnational
progressives think they can realize their dream by discrediting the very instrument
they intend to elevate.
The
UN has an opportunity to demonstrate its competence. The Security Council demands
that Iraq disarm, report its forbidden weapons programs to the council, and allow
inspectors unrestricted access so they can verify compliance.
Iraq
does not comply.
That
means war.
Each
of the security council nations has interests which will be endangered by war
in Iraq.
After
twelve years of averting its eyes from the spectacle of Saddam's unchallenged
disobedience, the Security Council clings to a kind of make-believe authority.
For the council to maintain even a pretense of credibility as a tool for conflict
resolution it must actively follow the logic of the resolution.
That
means war.
War
is really, really bad. Some people believe that there is nothing worse.
They lack imagination.
No
doubt about it.
Many
people want to avoid a war for good reasons...and bad ones.
Avoiding
this war will prevent the Security Council from ever playing a meaningful role
in world affairs. So...those
who want to see a powerful UN manage a peaceful world face a test. The UN must
demonstrate a willingness to enforce its decisions.
What
do the supporters of the UN do?
They
look to their interests. Politically, pacifism is popular...so is anti-Americanism.
Economically, well...let's just say it is a vote-seller's market. Diplomatically,
there is a historic realignment of the nations and regions of the world. Militarily,
the most impressive weapon in the armories of the postmodern €uropeans is
talk...so they have a vital interest in a strong UN.
So...what
do they do?
They
sabotage their dream by deploying weapons of mass distraction...they pretend that
Iraq is close to being in compliance with 1441. When Iraq provided documents to
the UN the documents were incomplete. They said that it was merely a technical
violation...nothing serious. The inspections have not verified Iraqi disarmament.
They say, "The inspections are working. We need more." Iraq didn't disarm.
Saddam didn't turn his forbidden weapons. They say, "You haven't proven that
he has any." But he has them. And they know he has them. And we know that
they know he has them.
War
is bad.
They
say war is worse than anything.
They
attempt to use the UN to undermine avoid a war...and eviscerate the UN...which
is essential to creating their dream of a world at peace.
Because
they believe that all conflicts can be resolved through talk, they ensure that
world will continue to enjoy the horrors of war.